For 2014-15 men’s volleyball season

Kent Doucette, left, and Jack Perry of Westisle Composite High School will join the Holland College men’s volleyball team next season.

Kent Doucette and Jack Perry, both from Westisle Composite High School, have committed to suiting up for the Hurricanes for the 2014-15 Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association (ACAA) season.

“Each one of these athletes brings something different to the team, and I see them as being valuable assets to the program for the next couple of years,” said Hurricanes head coach Joe Ryan. “Westisle is a very well-coached program, so athletes coming out of there have good fundamentals and knowledge of the game."

Doucette was the starting setter for the Wolverines, and Ryan describes him as “one of the top setters in the Maritimes.”

Doucette, a high school tournament most valuable player and all-star in 2013, as well as an all-star in 2012, was named the Volleyball P.E.I. juvenile player of the year for the 2013-2014 season.

“I’m excited to become a better player by working with Coach Joe Ryan and the new recruits,” said Doucette. “I think we will have a strong, young team this year.

“I’ll bring a positive and competitive attitude to the court for every set this year.”

Two-time all-star

Perry, a six-foot-four middle player, is a two-time high school all-star (2012 and 2013).

“Jack will fill a position that our team has struggled to secure over the past couple of years,” said Ryan. “We need to be deep in our positions, and for this coming season I feel we are getting there.”

Perry is looking forward to playing with the Hurricanes.

“It will be a new experience for me, and I am very excited to start playing,” shared Perry. “I try to bring a positive attitude to every practice and game, and I intend to continue that at Holland College. I think I bring a solid middle block and attack to the team.”

What adjustments do the players feel they will have to make to adapt to the collegiate game?

“Each one of these athletes brings something different to the team, and I see them as being valuable assets to the program for the next couple of years. Westisle is a very well-coached program, so athletes coming out of there have good fundamentals and knowledge of the game."Hurricanes head coach Joe Ryan

“Sets will be faster because of bigger blockers on the other teams,” answered Doucette. “I will have to work on my vertical to compete at the net.”

Perry agreed.

“I will have to get used to the speed of the game,” Perry went on to say. “College games are much faster than high school games, especially for a middle blocker.

“I will have to work on my jumping; you have to be able to get up a lot higher to block these older players.”

Big season

Ryan has been busy recruiting in preparation for a big season for the Hurricanes.

“We have worked hard to get the top high school players to attend Holland College this year,” said Ryan. “With both of these players they bring a great deal of success to this program and with the talent we are putting around these players, I am hoping they will continue to grow as players.”

Perry and Doucette were members of the Westisle Wolverines’ team that won the 2013 P.E.I. School Athletic Association (PEISAA) Senior AAA Boys Volleyball League championship.

The Hurricanes are hosting the 2015 Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) national men’s volleyball championship in Charlottetown in March 2015. This was one of the main reasons these players chose to attend Holland College.

“Playing at nationals is going to be something I will remember forever,” said Perry. “I cannot wait to play.

“Playing against the best in the country will push me to my limits, and hopefully make me a better player because of it.”

Doucette added, “It will be a privilege to represent Prince Edward Island and the Hurricanes at a national level.”